A Fisherman’s Prayer
Fishing is something us kids did a lot at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I guess that was part of the joy of growing up in the 1970’s. At the time, I thought going to the farm was sort of boring, but looking back what a blessing to enjoy creation and to have the memories of fishing at Grandpa’s and Grandma’s.
Going To Grandma’s & Grandpa’s
Not too long after arriving, Mom or Grandma would suggest we go fishing and give us an old snuff can to collect our worms. The best place to find worms was under the walking boards between the house and the cellar. It took no time to pick up the worms and add some extra dirt from just under those boards.
Then it was off to the work shed to get an old cane pole with a bobbin. Sometimes it was just me, but my brother and little sister would go a lot also. Walking out the dirt road to the creek we would usually discuss how many fish we thought we might catch. It was almost always hot and looking back I don’t ever remember taking water with us. I guess we knew we could walk back to the house for a drink if we wanted.
Fishing or Catching?
We would fish for an hour or two, depending on if we were having any luck. There was a joke in our family, if someone said they were going fishing, we would say, “Are you going fishing or catching?” Of course everyone reworded their sentence to say “hopefully catching”.
As I was reading through Grandma’s items the other day one of the thoughts she left with the subscribers was this poem.
Fisherman’s Prayer
Lord, Grant that I may live to fish upon my dying day
And when I’ve made my final cast most humbly do I pray
That when in God’s safe landing net I’m peacefully asleep
That in His mercy, I’ll be found good enough to keep!
A New Thought About The Fisherman’s Prayer
I have to be honest, the thought I had when I first read the poem was, “even though I enjoyed fishing as a kid, I’m not sure I want to be fishing the day that I die.” However, after reading the poem several times another thought came to my mind with what the unknown author may have intended. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, “ And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we served the Lord and “fished for men” faithfully till our last day?
To desire winning souls and telling others about God’s great and merciful gift of salvation. And what a reminder to keep the Lord’s work a priority in our lives. It is so easy to get caught up in this world and how this world defines success causing us to lose our Christian sense of purpose. Our purpose is to glorify Him with our lives and tell others the good news of God’s love and forgiveness.
God’s Success
This world would have you to believe you are a success if you earn a certain amount of income, own a luxury home and cars, have “x” amount of children who go to ivy league schools, and the list could go on and on. However, when you stand before The Lord, be encouraged to know, He will not be tallying up any of those worldly things. He will simply be satisfied in knowing you loved Him and served Him with all the time and talents He gave you.
The Bait of Truth
So as a fisherman what bait should we use? You know, if you told someone you went fishin’ and caught several trout or sunfish or bass, they might in turn ask, “What’d you use for bait?” If we are going to be fisher’s of men, what are we going to use for bait?… The Truth, God’s word.
There have been many books and much information given on how to bring salvation to people. But as I think about it, I truly believe if God has been working in a heart that desires truth, then sharing Gods Word and promises is all you need. Now of course, behind the scenes is probable prayer and the working of the Holy Spirit.
Bait we can use when being a “Fisher of Men”?
- Peace with God and the forgiveness of sins. Acts 13:38-39 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
- Eternal life in the glorious heavenly kingdom, living in a perfect kingdom and finally able to be all God created you to be, ruling with and for the perfect King. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- Living this life in God’s guidance. Psalms 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
- Living this life in God’s strength and protection. And Psalms 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, and an ever present help in times of trouble.”
- Plus much more…
Good Enough To Keep
My prayer for everyone who reads this post is that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and asked for His forgiveness for your sins. If you have done that, then rest assured you will “be found good enough to keep”. So let me encourage you to keep the distractions of this world at bay and focus on being fisher’s of men. We have found a wonderful treasure that brings peace and truth, how can we not share this great news with everyone so they will also be found “good enough to keep”.
Keep encouraging & fishing!
